UK gilt futures extend gains modestly after BoE decision

LONDON: British government bond futures edged higher after the Bank of England kept interest rates on hold as expected on Thursday.

September gilt futures rose as much as 15 ticks on the day to 111.87 after the news, from levels around 111.79 just before the announcement. Sterling was little changed against the dollar.

All economists polled by Reuters last week forecast that rates would stay on hold this month, though a majority thought that at least one member of the Monetary Policy Committee would vote for a rate rise.

The BoE said it would publish a voting breakdown on August 20.